The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has taken a swipe at former members who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former lawmaker Dino Melaye.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, the governors declared that the PDP became more united and focused following the exit of these political heavyweights.
The statement, signed by the Forum’s Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, described the defectors as “irresponsible” and compared them to the Biblical prodigal son who only returned after realizing his mistakes.
“Since their exit, the PDP has become much more formidable and focused, with clear determination to have our eyes on the ball,” the statement read.
The Forum did not hold back in its criticism, accusing the defectors of joining a “one-chance vehicle” and engaging in verbal attacks against the PDP after realising they had made the wrong move.
“The ADC, before now, with their inordinate sense of entitlement, constituted a huge clog to the wheel of national unity and harmony,” the Forum said.
The defection of Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Dino Melaye and others to the ADC came amid growing tension within the PDP after the 2023 general elections, in which Atiku ran for president under the PDP but lost to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
Following the election, several top PDP members expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s direction and joined forces with other opposition leaders to form a coalition under the ADC platform.
However, the PDP governors believe their departure was a blessing in disguise. According to them, peace returned to the party soon after the defectors left.
“They created more problems than solutions while they were with us,” a PDP governor who asked not to be named said. “Their sense of entitlement often stood in the way of real progress.”
Despite the harsh words, the governors left the door open for possible reconciliation. The statement added that the PDP remains willing to welcome back defectors who show genuine remorse.
“Our doors remain open to those who realise their mistakes and are ready to return with sincerity,” the statement said.
The statement also touched on the country’s worsening security challenges, which the PDP governors said were a major point of discussion during their recent meeting.
They criticised the ADC and its leadership for failing to properly engage on national issues, saying the defectors lacked a clear vision for Nigeria’s future.
The party, which held power at the federal level from 1999 to 2015, has been battling internal divisions since its defeat.
